As each day turns into weeks, the year of 2019 is in the making, however in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Extraordinary Year of Mission is in full swing. Pope Francis, has reminded us throughout his papacy, that “All are invited to confirm our baptismal identity in a personal encounter with the living person of Jesus Christ, who invites us to be His witnesses in the world.” To ensure this emphasis, an Extraordinary Year of Mission, began in October, 2018 and will continue to an international Extraordinary Month of Mission in October, 2019.

The Extraordinary Year of Mission provides the impetus for each of us to, as Pope Francis decreed, “to be permanently in a state of Mission.” We are all called to take part in the Church’s Missionary work. Many of us may not be in a position to travel to another country to do so; so an immediate thought races to mind which is, “what am I being asked by the Pope and the Archbishop to do for this Extraordinary Year of Mission?”

Extraordinary Year of Mission

Archbishop Charles Chaput is hoping everyone in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be reminded of their baptismal call to be Missionary in this special year through October 2019.

Each day is the perfect time to take part in this Mission of Christ. We are called to Missionary Discipleship in concrete places and relationships of our daily lives. Listen to the Pope below on being Missionary.

For example, some young women, suffering because of their family situation and poverty, are forced to live on the street in Chennai, India. They grow up surrounded by crime, prostitution and other traumatizing experiences. Many of the girls become indifferent, suspicious, disheartened and broken by life’s circumstance. Sister Mary Gloria, a Salesian Missionary, helps restore the childhood of girls living on the streets by offering simple gifts.